Open Page Menu

Background:

Instituted as part of the gallantry awards review in 1993, the CGC is now the only Level 2 award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, replacing the DCM, CGM, CGM (Flying) and the DSO when awarded for gallantry. The CGC may be awarded to all ranks of the RN, RM, Army and RAF in recognition of acts of conspicuous gallantry during active operations against the enemy. Since its introduction, awards have been made for service in Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Iraq, Darfur and Afghanistan. There was also a collective award presented to the Royal Irish Regiment to recognise the service of its members during Op Banner. Fifty nine awards have been made to date, over half of them for operational service in Afghanistan.

Design:

A cross pattée, manufactured in silver mounted on a wreath of laurel leaves. The obverse of the medal bears in the centre, a circular medallion depicting St. Edward´s crown. The reverse is plain in design and will be engraved with the rank, name and unit of the recipient. The date of the award is also engraved across the central arm on the reverse. The ribbon is white with narrow stripes of dark blue at each edge and a central stripe of crimson.

Bars:

A silver bar may be issued to CGC holders performing a further act of such gallantry which would have merited an award of the CGC, though no second awards have been awarded to date.

Conspicuous Gallantry Cross

Citation

Marine JR Thomas 40 Commando, Royal Marines.
Lance Corporal Thomas deployed on Op Telic [Iraq] as a GPMG section commander in Manoeuvre Support Group of 40 Commando, Royal Marines. Despite his lack of formal command training, his leadership in combat has been of the highest order. Yet it as an individual act of immense bravery that stands him out from his contemporaries as worthy of lasting recognition. On 30 March 2003, a Commando attack was mounted against an enemy in battalion strength in the Abu-al-Khasib area near Basrah. Lance Corporal Thomas’ troop was tasked with securing a key junction on the vulnerable western flank. After initially good progress, it was just after first light when they were ambushed in the open by continual volleys of RPG and small arms fire from a well disguised enemy position in the cover of date palms some 250 metres away. This initial contact lasted three hours during which the troop managed to extract safely to a reorganisation location ready to meet and brief reinforcements from 42 Commando. At this critical juncture in the battle, the assembled troops came under sustained and effective RPG and small arms fire from a new undetected location of 15-20 enemy troops some 350 metres away. Realising that many of his comrades were now exposed, Lance Corporal Thomas ran from his position of comparative safety and climbed onto his open top vehicle to man a pintle-mounted GPMG. With his No.2 feeding ammunition and with no protection afforded by the vehicle, Lance Corporal Thomas single handedly returned a heavy weight of sustained fire for a continuous period of nearly 15 minutes to enable 20 other members of his troop to safely move into cover and to regroup. As small arms and RPG’s landed all around him, his determination to suppress the enemy did not waiver, nor did his courage in the face of considerable threat to his own life. This singular act of selfless bravery ensured that his troop were able to extract safely from effective enemy fire without loss in order to launch a successful counter attack. Had casualties been taken, the progress on the Commando’s western flank would have been slowed and potentially placed the remainder of the Unit in a vulnerable position. Lance Corporal Thomas’ section had a further three contacts that day as they set about achieving their mission, yet his leadership and personal example were never found wanting. Lance Corporal Thomas’ extreme bravery in the face of a well-armed and determined enemy undoubtedly saved numerous lives that day and was fundamental to mission success. Throughout a demanding sequence of operations, his section’s performance has been invariably impressive, due largely to his natural command presence. Categorically, his exceptional courage and inspirational leadership under effective enemy fire deserve lasting public recognition’.

Have a query?

Contact Us